<p>I am not a lawyer, so am asking this to anyone who is: Is a dog that is known to be vicious considered a “known hazard” kind of along the lines of having a pool. Even if its fenced in, its a hazard. And if a dog is known to bite it is known to be a risk.</p>
<p>“What I’m trying to say is that people should think before reporting minor dog bites because a dog being put to sleep is not something that should be taken lightly.”</p>
<p>This is what I was trying to say as well.</p>
<p>My dog, as well as my guinea pigs, are my family in every meaning of that word, and maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about this.</p>
<p>I have no problem reporting the bite if the dog will not get put down, although, depending on the circumstances, I may still prefer to deal with the family directly (if I see they take it seriously, etc.).</p>
<p>Dogs can bite if they are sick or getting older and are in pain (often, a trip to the vet and medication can solve the problem). Dogs can bite because they are not trained properly. Dogs that have bitten can and HAVE been rehabilitated. The problem is that it seems there are no procedures to exhaust before putting the animal to sleep - no required course, no taking the dog away and having a professional work with him, etc. (maybe things like that exist, that’s just not the impression I get)</p>
<p>Many (not all) times, it can be the owner’s fault, and it’s the dog that suffers. There are about 30 deaths from dogs in the United States in a year, so the odds of a dog killing someone are miniscule. Therefore, I do choose to give the dog (and the owner) the benefit of the doubt. No, I would not report a dog bite if it would lead to a dog being put down.</p>
<p>“And as stupid as the neighbor’s kids seem to be, their safety should be more of a priority than keeping a vicious dog.”</p>
<p>I don’t have an aggressive dog, but I still think it’s ridiculous to tell someone that the safety of someone TRESPASSING on their property should come at the cost of the life of a dog, who very well may be that person’s family.</p>
<p>I am finding this discussion fascinating.</p>
<p>I admit that I have spoken sharply to dog owners whose dogs accost me when the dog owner is nearby and fails to take any action to restrain the dog. (I usually say something along the lines of “your dog should be on a leash!!!”)</p>
<p>However perhaps this is necessary in order to communicate that I have a different view on their dogs’ behavior, namely, that it is inappropriate and they should not permit it.</p>
<p>Any more ideas about preventing dogs from jumping?</p>
<p>I tried the turn-your-back on the dog approach recently and it had absolutely no effect.</p>
<p>Not to put to fine a point on this, but…</p>
<p>My dog, as well as my guinea pigs, are my family in every meaning of that word, and maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about this.</p>
<p>Many people feel this way, but if there is any family member (whether animal or human) that is dangerous to others, that danger can’t be ignored just because there may be negative consequences to the other members of the family.</p>
<p>*The problem is that it seems there are no procedures to exhaust before putting the animal to sleep - no required course, no taking the dog away and having a professional work with him, etc. *</p>
<p>These resources do exist. Unfortunately, though, once a dog has shown aggressive tendencies, NOBODY can guarantee that further aggression can be ruled out.</p>
<p>Many (not all) times, it can be the owner’s fault, and it’s the dog that suffers. There are about 30 deaths from dogs in the United States in a year, so the odds of a dog killing someone are miniscule.</p>
<p>This may be true. However, this fails to account for other major injuries and the disfiguring scars a bite may cause.</p>
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<p>At first I thought you HAD to be joking. Expecting your dog not to run up to me and bite me is putting my “comfort” ahead of your “feelings?!” Seriously?</p>
<p>
no, that’s part of the reason we keep him! When we got him, we thought he would be a fun dog, but then he fell in love with my daughter. He’s mostly fine, just very territorial and very sarcastic. For example, if my daughter throws a ball for him he will prance and play, but if someone else throws the ball he picks it up and takes it away. But nobody tries to get into my house.</p>
<p>Just making sure. 
When I worked at the humane society we actually had to keep the JRs in the big dog kennels instead of putting them in the little dog room… they are big dogs trapped in a little dogs body, and a lot of them act like it. ;)</p>
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<p>The first three sentences are BARE MINIMUM expectations that responsible dog owners should do as a matter of course. It’s not something to expect pats on the back for…especially considering failure to do the latter two may result in legal sanctions against the owner if this issue goes to court. </p>
<p>As for her involving the police…wouldn’t have happened if you/your family had more effective preventative measures in place. </p>
<p>Incidentally, dog owners who fail to restrain their dogs who then bite neighbors or local residents are one major reason why dog ownership is no longer permitted in some condo/co-op buildings on my block…including my own as of 12 years ago. </p>
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<p>Am a bit surprised at the bunker mentality displayed from someone from Staten Island. Sounds more reminiscent of what some Mississippi cousins have told me about some survivalist militia-types down in their neck of the woods they’ve learned to avoid because they have racist attitudes against anything “furrin” and are armed. </p>
<p>More importantly, if and when that Jack Russell happens to bite someone…even trespassing neighbors…liability plaintiff’s attorneys will be licking their chops considering this will be going to courts with NYC jurors who IME…tend to be extremely unsympathetic to owners of vicious dogs…especially when they injure children.</p>
<p>As far as trespassing neigbhors, I have no sympathy for adults who trepass as they know (or reasonably can be expected to know) better than to jump a fence and trespass. </p>
<p>Children are a different matter. Depending on the age, they may not have the cognitive knowledge about fence lines and trespassing. They’re trying to retrieve their balls that went on the other side of the fence. It’s a normal desire to try to get their item back even if a stupid fence is in the way. (If parents help bring ladders, etc to get over the fence, then the situation is a bit different.)</p>
<p>I hope the parents would be unhappy if they knew their kids were crawling the fence to retrieve balls with an aggressive dog in the yard. Sounds like this poster has done what is necessary to prevent people from aggravating the dog. You can’t protect people from themselves…this is entirely different than someone who willfully or accidentally allows their animal to come in contact with unsuspecting people in a public location.</p>
<p>NYT’s did an article on homeowner’s insurance on Saturday, and noted that “dog bite” is #1 claim, with an average pay-out of $28,000, and mandatory rate increase AND dog control provisions after 1st dog bite claim. Actual claim pay-outs can be much higher.</p>
<p>After talking to our sheriff, I’m using my cell-phone to photo all off-leash dogs on beach that charge towards me while owner is more than 100’ away, and e-mailing him per his request.</p>
<p>The jack russell owner should ask vet’s advice re: dog’s persistent aggressive behavior. Seems that dog dominates household, and that bite risk is high even for family within fence-line. We’ve friends who have owned many dobermans; they returned an 18-month doberman when they realized the dog was very territorial about the mom, and groweled at the teenage boys when they sat near mom. No bites occurred, but mom noted that dogs need to know their place within family, and a dog that growls at family members is a dangerous dog that can’t be relied upon to behave appropriately and safely at ALL times. One bad dog bite, that’s all it takes for a person to be physically and mentally scared for life.</p>
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It would really be great if you would refrain from responding to my posts in the future. I just don’t have the patience to correct your misconceptions all the time.</p>
<p>Not that it’s any of your business with your obnoxious, uninformed posts, but there was a credible threat a couple of years ago against my daughter’s life and safety.</p>
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No he doesn’t dominate the household. We are just aware of the fact that he is very territorial and err on the side of caution. If you came to my house and we knew you were coming it would be fine and you would wonder what we were talking about that fat, lazy dog. However, if you walked in without being introduced, he would take your toe off.</p>
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Exactly. And we are sensitive to his issue and are super cautious but the truth is that any dog can bite under the right circumstances and it’s far better to have an owner who is aware of the possibility than someone with his head up his butt.</p>
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<p>I agree. </p>
<p>However, depending on the jurisdiction…the law may not agree. An attorney I worked with some years back mentioned how in some jurisdictions someone who had a booby trapped house to prevent burglaries/other crimes at home…including aggressive pets could be held criminally and civilly liable if someone was injured…whether that person is the mail carrier, emergency services personnel, or even the trespasser with criminal intent. </p>
<p>In short, while you and I may have no sympathy for such trespassers…some jurisdictions’ laws/courts may disagree in practice and the homeowner may end up with a criminal record/being taken to the cleaners in civil court as a result.</p>
<p>“What lesson for his kids: break local ordinances, hassle old ladies, be a jerk, so long as you’re “defending the kids”. Nice life lesson.”</p>
<p>I’ll bet the life lesson they took away from that, is that Dad is a real jerk. Then again, they probably know that. Someone who treats the neighbors like that is probably verbally abusive to his kids too. Poor kids!</p>
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The laws vary from state to state. Any dog that is known to be dangerous is considered to be a known hazard - this is called the “one-bite rule” although it doesn’t require an actual bite necessarily. </p>
<p>In California, owners of a dog are liable for any damage done by that dog - period. </p>
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I did (judge for myself.) It’s a joke. Here’s the description of the “test” - a 10 minute walk on a leash, with nothing happening which corresponds to the situations in which a dog might unpredictably maul or kill someone: [Description</a> of the Temperament Test | American Temperament Test Society, Inc.](<a href=“http://atts.org/tt-test-description/]Description”>Description of the Temperament Test | American Temperament Test Society, Inc.) I’m sure that many dogs which have killed or seriously injured people would pass that test.</p>
<p>I’ll stick to the real data - known instances of people being killed by dogs - 1/3 of which were pit bulls. (And while I understand that the precise definition of what constitutes a “pit bull” seems to be very important to you, it’s not to me, or the people who have been maimed or killed by them.)</p>
<p>I don’t mean to pick on you, acollegestudent - many pit bull owners share your opinions. But you’re in denial. The data is adequate and adequately reliable. The laws which have been passed in numerous jurisdictions regarding pit bulls are not the product of “hysteria” - they are rational, common sense responses to actual facts. Three or four people being killed every year by pit bulls may strike some as “statistically insignificant” - but I can assure you it’s not insignificant to the families of all of those dead people - many of them children.</p>
<p>And in most cases, until the mauling, the owner would assure you that “He was just a sweet, loving dog.”</p>
<p>Even afterward.</p>
<p>When Kluge and I completely agree you can book it. Pit bulls as pets are not necessary. Choose something else.</p>
<p>Last week was National Dog Bite Prevention Week. There’s a lot of good information about avoiding dog bites: [Dog</a> Bite Prevention](<a href=“http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/]Dog”>http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/)</p>
<p>This study looks at bites-by-breed statistics and concludes that it’s the dog, not the breed: [The</a> Role of Breed in Dog Bite Risk and Prevention](<a href=“http://www.avma.org/reference/backgrounders/dog_bite_risk_and_prevention_bgnd.asp]The”>http://www.avma.org/reference/backgrounders/dog_bite_risk_and_prevention_bgnd.asp)</p>
<p>Personally, I worry far more about German Shepherds than I do about pit bulls. I also worry a lot when I see a small person with a big dog lunging to the end of a leash.</p>
<p>I watch the behavior of the dog, and I’m always prepared to turn and go the other way.</p>